Chapter 5
Too much information
Conner
The phone rang at a quarter to eight. Amy was cooking up breakfast burritos while we awaited the kids to arrive and join us for our usual Saturday morning open house. It’s become a tradition. Saturday breakfast and Sunday dinners. Not everyone shows up, but we make enough just in case.
While Amy is preoccupied, I answer the phone assuming it’s one of the kids, or even grandkids. They’re all getting big fast. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me.” My sister sounds like she’s whispering. Her voice is like she’s speaking through a tunnel.
“Hey, you. Where are you? I can barely hear you.”
“At the cabin. Listen, what was the name of that doctor you saw when you had that problem?”
Right away I begin to chuckle. “Don’t tell me. Ty finally got what was coming to him.”
“No. Of course not. I mean, I suppose one day it could happen, but it’s not for Ty. Do you know the doctor’s name?”
Like they say, curiosity kills the cat. “I’ll give you the name if you tell me who needs it.”
“Conner, it’s for a friend. Mind your business.”
“What kind of man would I be if I went around giving the name of my endocrinologist to anyone who asks?”
“A good one.”
“Someone you know having thyroid problem? They got a blocked gland in their ball sack?”
She doesn’t laugh. “Fine. I can tell you’re no fun this morning. It’s Dr. Barringer. He practices out of Raleigh.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll call you when we’re back Monday. Love you.”
When she hangs up I’m left wondering who this so-called friend could be. Assuming it’s someone from the salon, I know I’d rather not pry too much. Although, Ty would get a kick out of knowing someone couldn’t get it up. I can see him now pointing to the person in our small town and making cracks about their junk. It’s all fun and games until it happens to one of us. Then we’re screwed royally for making jokes regarding shit we shouldn’t laugh about.
Amy hands me plates to carry outside to the sunroom, where we’ve now set up three full length tables to seat our growing family. I get to my task, while watching her bring large covered dishes and sitting them in the center. “Was that your sister?”
“Yeah. She was calling to ask me the name of that doctor I used when I had that blockage. Remember the one when I freaked out and thought I had cancer of the nuts?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not the technical term for it.”
“You know what I mean, Blaze.” When she’s finished with the last dish I take her into my arms and pull her up against me. My lips find hers before she can protest by telling me she’s too busy for a moment. “I promised the kids I’d work on that fort today. We’re almost ready to paint if you plan on helping.”
I’ve been building my grandkids a fort so that they don’t have to go all the way over to Ty’s property to play in his old hunk of junk. When I’m done they’ll have their own two story hang out. Amy’s been collecting smaller furniture to make the space comfortable, and I’ve run electric underground so they’ll have lights and plugs. I know I’m spoiling them, but it gives me a sense of pride to know how happy I make them. I may have been hard on my kids, but the grandchildren are a different story. They know that when they’re with us, they’ll get whatever their little hearts desire.
“Speaking of doctors,” Amy begins. “I think we should do something on our own for the fundraiser. A surprise of sorts.”
“Like what? Options are limited with the girls trying to outdo themselves each year.”
“I know. There has to be something special we could do though, just from us.”
“We could get with Rusty and Bella and see if we could have a petting zoo. I’m sure we could round up enough animals to make it a fun time. We’ll charge five bucks entry per person, children under five get in free. If they’re expecting the same amount of people as last year, I’m sure we could make a killin’.”
“It’s a great idea. As long as we can arrange it.”
“I’m sure Rusty will be in on the idea. He and I spoke about it before. The only problem I see is getting all the animals to one place. We’ll have to make some calls to scrounge up exotics in Kentucky. I know Colt has a friend that owns a two hundred pound African Tortoise. She’s nice. I’ve seen her a couple times at the fairs. I also went to school with a guy whose father collected snakes. He’s got some huge boas I’m sure he’d be willing to bring. He probably has a couple iguanas and other lizards too.” I’ve been thinking about this idea for a while, ever since I took a couple of my grandchildren to one. They loved being able to different animals.
With a bright smile, Amy agrees. “It’s a good start. The ranch has chickens, goats, cattle, pigs, and horses. Ethan’s parents have llamas and ecru. That could be enough. I’m not talking a huge production, but we could set up different tent enclosures. I think it’s actually doable if we can organize it in time.”
“I know Cassie said ticket sales for the concert are going up next week. We have plenty of time to add it to the flyers and advertisements. They thought last year was big. This year is going to double it.” I’m optimistic. I’ve been feeling that way a lot lately. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives. We’re healthy and surrounded by grandchildren. When my wife thought she couldn’t have kids I was convinced we could adopt or just love the nieces and nephews. Turns out, she’d been wrong. Grateful doesn’t begin to describe how it feels to see her eyes light up when our kids walk into the room. She’s so full of love and compassion. I’m a damn lucky man, and no matter what we went through to get this far, I don’t regret a single moment of it. “It’s going to be great, Blaze.”
Amy reaches out and takes my hand. “I hope so. It’s for such a good cause. I remember a few years back I had that lump. I was so scared. Van was there for me. So were you, but it’s different because she’d gone through it. She’s had a couple scares since then, but it was nothing but built up tissue. It’s the scariest thing. The not knowing. I hated it.”
“My blockage wasn’t exactly easy to deal with, but I knew from the get-go I wouldn’t give up. I’d fight for you and the kids. There’s no way you’d ever lose me.”
“I appreciate that.”
The sound of the door notifies us that we’re no longer alone. Little footsteps race into the kitchen and we’re bombarded with hugs. Cammie and Wes follow them. “Morning,” Wes offers.
“You’re early,” Amy tells them.
Cammie shrugs. “We wanted you to be the first to know. We’re having another baby.”
And this life keeps getting better.
“Tell them the other news, babe.” Wes doesn’t let us celebrate yet. Just when I think she’s about to announce it’s twins, she throws us a loop.
“I’m opening my own practice here in town. It’s a shared building with a Radiology center, who has offered to bring equipment to the annual event for free mammograms for women thirty and over.”
Amy cups her hands over her face, while I pull my daughter into my arms. “That’s awesome, honey. Your aunt will be so pleased.”
“I already emailed her about it. She’s got another Radiology team coming too, so we’ll be able to hopefully get everyone seen. It’s going to be a long day, but I’ve offered to volunteer my time to providing results. Each patient will be able to know before they leave the booth.”
“Your dad and I are going to do a petting zoo for the kids, but your news is so much better.”
“She’s got to be careful,” Wes reminds us. She can’t be near any of the machines, so I told her she’s going to have to take precautions. According to the radiologist, they have lead panels they can set up, and the machine will be transported in a mobile trailer that doesn’t give off radiation outside. It’s kind of a big high-tech unit.”
“Wes and I are covering the travel costs for the unit. Christian and Callie are going to help with patients. They’ll get their information and prep them for us to make it faster. We’re hoping to set up next to the other team so it’s a one stop shop.”
“Impressive. You girls are really working hard to make this happen.”
Cammie shrugs. “I’ve spent my whole life wanting to heal the sick. I’m a doctor now, so this makes me feel like I’m making a difference.”
Wes holds their five year old son in his arms. He kisses the boy, while doting over his wife. I’ve known that boy since he was a little kid, and best friend to our son Josh. Never in a million years would I have thought he’d end up with Cammie, but they’ve created a beautiful family and I’m proud of him for taking responsibility when he didn’t have to.
“Mom, do you need help with the food?” Cammie asks.
Wes and I lead the kids out on the porch so the girls can finish getting everything in order. Coming up the driveway are two SUVs, behind them, an unmarked police cruiser. A grin covers my face when I realize we’re about to have a full house. I never thought I’d see the day when my whole family wasn’t struggling, but it’s upon us, and it’s humbling.